Southwest Rumor Mill is ramping up

[seashoreCM]

Suppose that those doing Preboard or Family Boarding and in the C boarding group should have their carryons checked. This should result in shorter queues for those accommodatation making it easier to manage those accommodations.

More specifically the criterion would be the same for all boarding that flight at that time, for example if they want to check carryons starting with B-44 then that B-44 should be the cutoff in the Preboard line, the Family line, and the general line together.

 

[sam_gordon]

Suppose that those doing Preboard or Family Boarding and in the C boarding group should have their carryons checked. This should result in shorter queues for those accommodatation making it easier to manage those accommodations.

More specifically the criterion would be the same for all boarding that flight at that time, for example if they want to check carryons starting with B-44 then that B-44 should be the cutoff in the Preboard line, the Family line, and the general line together.

Makes no sense. This should be the boarding order...

Pre-boards.
A1-60
Family Boarding
B1-60
C1-complete.

So, A, how would they determine B44 is the "cutoff"?
B, preboard and family boarding are complete before the cutoff is reached. So how does that help?

Or are you saying someone who had gotten assigned a c boarding group, but able to preboard or use family boarding should have their carry on checked? If so, I disagree. If I need to preboard, and know I'm entitled to, why check in early?

 

[seashoreCM]

Just before any boarding begins the gate crew estimates what the cutoff will be (B-44 etc.) for checking carryons regardless of when and where you stand in line at the gate. Early Bird Check In and early phone/web check in are still voluntary. If overhead bin space for your carryon is important, then you would check in early just as others not needing preboarding do. It is not fair that if you self identify with a need to preboard you should have added priority for overhead bin space.

 

[EACarlson]

Suppose that those doing Preboard or Family Boarding and in the C boarding group should have their carryons checked. This should result in shorter queues for those accommodatation making it easier to manage those accommodations.

More specifically the criterion would be the same for all boarding that flight at that time, for example if they want to check carryons starting with B-44 then that B-44 should be the cutoff in the Preboard line, the Family line, and the general line together.

I think this would run into legal issues with the Air Carrier Access Act. You are now treating preboards differently based on their disability.
I think the only thing SW can do without changing to an assigned seating system is strictly enforce the rules they already have. No more than one adult per child 6 or under, although that may change if the FAA gets the 13 and under codified. No seat saving and no preboards in the exit rows. My guess is that there will be a change to assigned seating sometime in the next two years.

 

[seashoreCM]

... run into legal issues with the Air Carrier Access Act. You are now treating preboards differently based on their disability.

What disabilities and what treatments?

 

[FreeTime]

What disabilities and what treatments?

Requiring them to check their bags because they are a preboarder.

 

[EACarlson]

What disabilities and what treatments?

Whatever disability is causing them to Preboard. You are treating them differently by forcing them to check bags, which may very well include medical equipment that is specifically permitted in the cabin, or even required to be in the cabin.

 

[Lewisc]

The baggage is about turn-around time. Southwest getting another flight out of their aircraft a day because they have industry leading turnaround time is what makes them money.

Are we sure that's still true? I notice delays with pax hunting for "good" seat. Looking for bin space.

My, anecdotal experience, Frontier boards faster. Bin bags cost more then checked bags. Assigned seats. The doors close 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Pax go directly to their seats and sit.

 

[Donald Duck888]

I have a four year old and we have paid for EBCI for our family of three and still get stuck in the Bs often so we end up getting into the rat race of family boarding. I hate family boarding so much but we need to sit with our toddler.

I truly am not a fan of how SW does Family boarding. Back earlier this year I wanted to save a bit of money so I did wanna get away with early bird on SW to MCO. I booked the trip super in advance so figured I would be safely in front of the scrum that is family boarding. Well SW decided to combine two flights right before it was time to travel so i guess that nullified my getting an A group as i ended up in the middle of the B’s. I was actually so pissed off I cancelled the whole trip as I hate air travel as it is today already and was not going to end up having my party split up, not because I was a B but because of the Family Boarders who have C passes being able to board in front of me. I did re use the points to reschedule a trip (on Business Select fare) but will probably look at other airlines going forward now that points are used as I am just not a fan of the way this system works.

 

[Donald Duck888]

Southwest made one very short trial of assigned seats, assigning the seats randomly. One conclusion was clear, people don't like middle seats. This conclusion was so strong and obvious that using the same test results to also judge how people favor or disfavor assigned seats in general would be clouded and open to immediate dispute.

I agree, no one wants to sit in a middle seat, me included. I am 6’4” tall and the middle seat leaves me no where to try to move my knees to either right or left without them moving into another passengers space. So I have to sit with my knees squashed against the seat in front of me (especially if that person reclines) for the full flight. The last time i did that I ended up with a pulmonary embolism while vacationing at Disney. Spent a week at Celebration Hospital (great hospital by the way). So no more middle seat for me. I miss the old days (yes I am old) of the 727s that had a 2 seat by 2 seat configuration.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I truly am not a fan of how SW does Family boarding. Back earlier this year I wanted to save a bit of money so I did wanna get away with early bird on SW to MCO. I booked the trip super in advance so figured I would be safely in front of the scrum that is family boarding. Well SW decided to combine two flights right before it was time to travel so i guess that nullified my getting an A group as i ended up in the middle of the B’s. I was actually so pissed off I cancelled the whole trip as I hate air travel as it is today already and was not going to end up having my party split up, not because I was a B but because of the Family Boarders who have C passes being able to board in front of me. I did re use the points to reschedule a trip (on Business Select fare) but will probably look at other airlines going forward now that points are used as I am just not a fan of the way this system works.

I hate Family Boarding with a passion too. SW is the only airline that flies direct from PVD to MCO that is decently reliable so we are stuck. I am now looking at buying Anytime/Business Select fares to get higher boarding numbers for the three of us.

 

[Donald Duck888]

I hate Family Boarding with a passion too. SW is the only airline that flies direct from PVD to MCO that is decently reliable so we are stuck. I am now looking at buying Anytime/Business Select fares to get higher boarding numbers for the three of us.

Yep, my local airport is MHT (Manchester NH) so I am in the same boat. I either use SW, fly Spirit, take a legacy with a stop somewhere or make the trip to Boston to fly out of there. I have always hated flying out of BOS but it is becoming more and more of a possible option with things as they are lately.

 

[LynJ]

We fly SW for a variety of reasons, one of which is the ability to preboard for our kiddo. Looking at her, you would not know she's disabled. However, she must be seated with a parent if she's to have any ability to communicate on the plane. They have preboard for deaf/ hard-of-hearing, for that reason. So yeah, not everyone who preboards will "look" disabled, but there can still be a legit reason. (She also gets squashed into a middle seat between hubby and I.)

Once we get to the destination, she and hubby sprint off, to get her out of the environment. I have to wait for my gate-checked rollator, however, so I'm the slowpoke. Lol.

 

[sam_gordon]

We fly SW for a variety of reasons, one of which is the ability to preboard for our kiddo. Looking at her, you would not know she's disabled. However, she must be seated with a parent if she's to have any ability to communicate on the plane. They have preboard for deaf/ hard-of-hearing, for that reason. So yeah, not everyone who preboards will "look" disabled, but there can still be a legit reason. (She also gets squashed into a middle seat between hubby and I.)

Once we get to the destination, she and hubby sprint off, to get her out of the environment. I have to wait for my gate-checked rollator, however, so I'm the slowpoke. Lol.

Don't other airlines allow her to preboard?

 

[LynJ]

Don't other airlines allow her to preboard?

Probably. We rarely fly other airlines, to be honest. We had a rough situation when kiddo was little and was recently diagnosed, and a southwest flight attendant was kind of our savior. We had a flight changed and ended up in boarding group C. There were no seats together at all, and a flight attedant stepped up and pushed the issue to get us 2 seats together. She then made a point of telling us about preboarding for hearing disabilities and made sure we knew exactly what to do for our next flight. The personal help and friendliness sold us.

 

[SirDuff]

Don't other airlines allow her to preboard?

Yes. AND would allow them to select the three seats in a row so wouldn't need to pre-board to sit together.

 

[reddog21]

Yes. AND would allow them to select the three seats in a row so wouldn't need to pre-board to sit together.

This is what I was thinking, preboarding isn't really a big deal on other airlines because you have a seat so your guarenteed to sit together. SW is really the only airline where this is an issue.

If preboarding is so important that you require it then why not just buy buisness class. I'm not calling anyone out to or saying someone doesn't need it however like everthing else people take advantage of the system so they don't have to pay extra either in business class or early boarding.

Business insider just put out an article the other day indicating the push for paid luggage. I feel like the writing is on the wall kind of like every other theme park had paid "skip the line" except Disney for a long time. People say forget them I'm not paying well that's fine expect theres probably thousands of people behind you willing to pay. Disney has had no problem selling Genie+ and LL even though there was going to be a revolt if they went with a paid model.

 

[dobball23]

so not to fuel the fire, but last SW flight we took (April 2024), I literally watched a guy run from the starbucks back to his wheelchair that his wife was standing at, sit down and proceed to be pushed down the jetway.

Is getting a seat closer to the front of the plane or next to a family member really worth all the hassle of having a wheelchair (and deceiving others about your status)? It just seems like a lot of effort and wrongdoing for little payoff.

 

[SteveMouse]

I think this would run into legal issues with the Air Carrier Access Act. You are now treating preboards differently based on their disability.
I think the only thing SW can do without changing to an assigned seating system is strictly enforce the rules they already have. No more than one adult per child 6 or under, although that may change if the FAA gets the 13 and under codified. No seat saving and no preboards in the exit rows. My guess is that there will be a change to assigned seating sometime in the next two years.

Not to mention you'd likely be putting critical medical equipment or supplies for at least some of the preboards under the plane, significantly increasing the possibility of the item being lost or separated from the plane.

My rollator went to Nashville instead of Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago ( I use both a power wheelchair and a rollator. I cannot take a single step without assistance.) It is painfully obvious my body is nowhere near normal).

Fortunately, WN had a loaner rollator in Pittsburgh. Otherwise, I'd have been in a world of hurt. If it had been a CPAP machine, I'm not sure what would have been the resolution.

I am aggravated that the wheelchair closet has disappeared from many planes and that FAs are unwilling to prioritize them for wheeled mobility equipment.

 

[Lewisc]

Not to mention you'd likely be putting critical medical equipment or supplies for at least some of the preboards under the plane, significantly increasing the possibility of the item being lost or separated from the plane

Or remove, and check, bags already in the bin.